Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-04-15
RETALIATORY MEASURES.
AN IMPORTANT LETTER FROM PReSl-
DENT CLEVELAND.
The Dignity aud Honor of the United
States Must he Projected Ketalia-
ton will be Employed If Abso-
IuteIy Necessary.

WAsHINGToN, April s.-The president
having received n communication from
,he American Fisheries union of Massa-
chusetts calling attention to the fisheries
dispute and suggesting that the retalia-
tory act passed by the late Congress
would in their opinion, be sufficiently
executed il the proposed retaliation was
confined to the closing of the United
States markets to Canadian fish products,
ne has made the following answer:
WAsHlNGTON, April Z, 1887
George steele Esq, President american
FISHERY Union ana others, GlouCCS-
ter, Mass.
Gentlemen: nave received your letter
lately addressed to me, and have given
full consideration to the expression of the
views and wishes therein contained in re-
lation to the existing differences between
the government of Great Britain and the
United States, growing out of the refusal
to award to our citizens engaged in fish
ing enterprises the privileges to which
they are entitled, either under treaty stIp-
Olations or guarantees of international
comfy and neighborly concessions. | sim
cerely trust the apprehension you express
Of the unjust and untriendly treatment
Of American fishermen lawfully found in
Canadian waters will not be really So
The action of this administration since
June, 1883, when the fishery articles of the
treaty of 1871 were terminated under the
notification which had two years before
been given by our government, has been
fully disclosed by the correspondence be
tween the representatives, and appropriate
departments of the respective govern
mentS, with which you are entirely famit-
lar. An examination of this correspond
ence has doubtless satisfied you that IN no
case have the rights or privileges of Amer
lean fishermen been overlooked or neglect
cd hIIt hnt hn hnxr lnx
been studiously insisted upon and cared
for by every means within the control of
The executive branch of the government.
The act of Congress approved March 3,
1897, authorizing course of retaliation
Ghrough executive action in the event of
A continuance on the part of the British
American authorities of unfriendly con-
duct and treaty violations affecting Amer
lcan fisherman devolved upon the president
Of the United States exceedingly grave and
solemn responsibilities, comprehending
nlGnly important consequences to our
national character and dignity, and involv-
ing an extremely valuable commercial in
Jercourse between the British possessions
OF North America and the people of the
United states. | understand the main |
purpose of your letter is to suggest that, |
IN case recourse to the retaliatory meas
ares authorized by this act should be in |
vlted by the unjust treatment of our fish |
erlnen III the future, the object of such |
retaliation might be fully accomplished |
by prohibiting Canadian caught fish |
from entry into the ports of the United |
states" The retaliation contem-
plated by the act of Congress is
10 be enforced, not to protect
solely any particular interest how
ever merltorious or valuable, but to main
tain national .honor and thus protect all
our people.
In this view violation of American
fishery rights and unjust or unfriendly |
acts toward portion of our citizens en-
gagged in this business is an occasion for
action and constitutes national affront |
which gives birth To or may justify re- |
tal!ation. This measure once resorted to, |
It's effectiveness and value may we'll de |
pend upon the thoroughness and extent |
OF its application and III the performance |
OF international duties, the enforcement |
of international rights and the protection
of our citizens, thus government and the
people Of the United States must act as
a unit, all intent upon attaining the
best result OF retaliation upon the
basis of a maintenance of national
honor and duty A nation seeking for any
means to maintain it's honor, dignity and
integrity Is engaged in protecting the
rights OF its people, and if in such efforts
particular interests are injured and spe
clal advantages forfeited, these things
ought to be periodically borne for the
public good An immense volume of popu-
productions and marine tonnage and rail
ways to which these have given activity,
is largely the result of intercourse be,
tween the United States and British
America, and the natural growth of full
half century of good neighborhood and
friendly communication form an aggre-
gate OF material wealth and incidental re-
lations of the most impressive mag
nitude. l fully appreciate these things
and am not unmindful of the great
number of our people who are concerned |
in such vast and diversified interests.
In the performance of the serious duty
which Congress has imposed upon me and |
in the exercise upon just occasion of the |
power conferred under the act referred to,
shall deem myself bound to inflict no I'M
necessary damage or injury upon any por
ton of our people, but 1 shall neverthe-
less be unhinchingly guided by sense of |
what the self-respect and dignity of the |
nation demand. In the maintenance of
these and in support of the honor of the
government beneath which every citizen |
may repose in safety, no sacrifice of per-
sonal or private interests shall be consid- |
cred as against the general welfare.
Yours very truly,
GROVER CLEVELAND.